Geophagus steindachneri Breeding Guide
Breeding Geophagus steindachneri, the red-hump eartheater, an immediate maternal mouthbrooder where one polygamous male spawns with several females.
Overview
Geophagus steindachneri, the red-hump eartheater, occurs in northern and western Colombia (Magdalena, Cauca and Sinu basins) and northwestern Venezuela. Both Seriously Fish and Wikipedia describe it as an immediate (ovophilous) maternal mouthbrooder: the female alone broods, while males are polygamous and form only weak, temporary pair bonds. This differs from the biparental strategy of many congeners.
Sexing
Sexing is comparatively straightforward: males grow larger and develop a nuchal hump that becomes bright red and very pronounced in dominant individuals, while females remain smaller and plainer.
Conditioning
A good diet and stable, clean water keep adults in condition. Because the species is polygynous, a setup of one male with several females reduces harassment of any single female and increases spawning frequency.
Breeding Setup
- Soft sand with hard surfaces for egg deposition; a tank base of at least 120 × 45 cm for general keeping
- Temperature: 20-30 °C (Seriously Fish range)
- pH: 6.0-7.5 (Seriously Fish)
- Hardness: 36-215 ppm (Seriously Fish)
- One male with multiple females
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
Courtship is initiated by the male and may last several hours. The female lays eggs in small batches on hard surfaces within the male's territory and immediately collects them in her mouth; the male releases milt in front of her mouth for fertilisation.
Egg & Fry Care
The female incubates the eggs for 10-14 days, and the fry may return to her mouth for a further week or more once free-swimming; Wikipedia notes the female carries the young until they are free-swimming and have absorbed their yolk sacs, about 2-3 weeks. The brooding female signals to her fry when danger is present. Fry readily accept Artemia nauplii and microworm. Most breeders move the brooding female to a separate aquarium.
Common Challenges
The main challenge is managing aggression around the polygynous male and protecting the brooding female. Because care is maternal only, the female carries the entire load and benefits from being isolated to brood undisturbed.